Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Vicks. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Life’s Little Miracles was founded in the spring of 2017 by Deanna Vicks out of her own hardships after having a micro-preemie diagnosed with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR). Her daughter, Ania, was a NICU baby born at 27 weeks gestation weighing a mere 1lb. 8oz and spent two months in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This was the most difficult trial the family had ever encountered and although the hospital staff was extremely helpful within their limits, there was little to no support otherwise for the families sharing the NICU space.
We noticed that the families in the NICUs feel forgotten, lost, and alone as they are enduring the pain of watching their child(ren) fighting for their lives; so we decided to help, even if it was in the most miniscule capacity, so that other families in the same scenario could receive some relief and community support. This is how our NICU Care Packages program was started. Initially, this program extended services primarily to NICUs; however, after noticing that many newborn infants in other circumstances need assistance as well, the program has expanded and is taking on a new life of its own. Life’s Little Miracles’ products include donated and purchased items such as diapers, blankets, care items, a baby hat, a shirt, a onesie, and nursing items for new mothers. The products also include helpful information and resources related to the preemie journey in the NICU and beyond, coupons and samples from our corporate sponsors, as well as a descriptive Life’s Little Miracles, Corp. contact information letter in the event that the families need additional support. Now, families enduring hardships who have infants, from micro-preemie and up to size 5 in diapers, are encouraged to go to our website and request an Infant Care Package, while supplies last.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the beginning, we had no funds to operate so we were funded through donations from the board members and supportive community members. Slowly, corporations that sell infant products began to donate items directly to our program and then foundations in the area began to invite us to request grants to fund the program. The biggest struggle has always been a lack of funds, but with the in-kind community support that we receive, it is offset.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We provide goods and services to Neonatal Intensive Care Units, children’s shelters, and other organizations that assist infants and new mothers. We also send care packages to individual families affected by the pandemic and natural disasters. The provisions include donated items and information that support the infants and their families during their stay in the hospital and beyond. When we first began, there were little to no programs offering these kinds of services, but slowly over the last couple of years, we have noticed other organizations are being formed as awareness has been raised about the plight of the infant community.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Our biggest and most important resource is the community. People and companies have poured so much love into us through encouragement, product donations, and monetary gifts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://littlemiracles.us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifes_little_miracles_corp/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NICUservices/
Image Credits
Life’s Little Miracles, Corp.
